The best grammar schools in the UK in 2026

Are you considering a grammar school for your child?

There are 163 grammar schools in the UK. To help you find and compare grammar schools in your area, we've put together everything you need to know about the best grammar schools in the UK.

Find out which 100 grammar schools have topped the league tables for 2026, and see what's on the entrance exam.

What are grammar schools?

Grammar schools are secondary schools in the UK that accept pupils based on their academic ability. Children take an entrance exam known as the 11 plus when they are in Year 6. The children with the highest scores are eligible for a place in Year 7.

Grammar schools are state-funded, which means they're free to attend. Grammar schools provide high-quality teaching and often have a range of extra-curricular activities.

Getting into a grammar school is challenging. Competition can be high, particularly in highly populated areas such as London.

What is the 11+?

The 11+ is the entrance exam used by grammar schools. Children aged 10 or 11 take the exam in the autumn term of Year 6.

The subjects on the exam include English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. Different schools, or groups of schools, decide which subjects to test.

Children's exam scores are age-standardised and ranked. Schools then use these results to decide which children to offer places to.

The best grammar schools in the UK in 2026

The list below ranks grammar schools based on their A level and GCSE results in 2025. This information was published by the The Times in December 2025.

1. Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet (London)

• A level results: 97.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 95.5% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment

2. Wilson’s School (Wallington)

• A level results: 95.4% A*–B
• GCSE results: 97.4% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) (first stage) and school's own (second stage)

3. St Olave’s Grammar School (Orpington)

• A level results: 95.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 89.7% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: school's own two-stage exam

4. Colchester Royal Grammar School (Colchester)

• A level results: 95.5% A*–B
• GCSE results: 88.4% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: CSSE 11+

5. The Tiffin Girls’ School (Kingston upon Thames)

• A level results: 89.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 95.7% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: school's own two-stage exam

6. Pate’s Grammar School (Cheltenham)

• A level results: 92.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 90% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test

7. King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford (Chelmsford)

• A level results: 91.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 87.5% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: CSSE 11+

8. The Henrietta Barnett School (London)

• A level results: 86% A*–B
• GCSE results: 97.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment (first stage), school's own (second stage)

9. Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (Altrincham)

• A level results: 91.3% A*–B
• GCSE results: 86.1% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium 11 plus

10. Reading School (Reading)

• A level results: 88.8% A*–B
• GCSE results: 88.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: FSCE 11 plus

11. Tiffin School (Kingston upon Thames)

• A level results: 91.8% A*–B
• GCSE results: 79.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: school's own two-stage exam

12. King Edward VI School, Stratford (Stratford-upon-Avon)

• A level results: 86% A*–B
• GCSE results: 90.7% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

13. Nonsuch High School for Girls (Cheam)

• A level results: 89.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 82.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) (first stage) and school's own (second stage)

14. Tonbridge Grammar School (Tonbridge)

• A level results: 91.5% A*–B
• GCSE results: 77.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: The Kent Test

15. Dartford Grammar School (Dartford)

• A level results: 89.8% A*–B
• GCSE results: 80.7% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: The Kent Test

16. Chelmsford County High School for Girls (Chelmsford)

• A level results: 86.7% A*–B
• GCSE results: 87% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: FSCE 11 plus

17. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls (Birmingham)

• A level results: 86.8% A*–B
• GCSE results: 84.7% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

18. The Latymer School (London)

• A level results: 85.7% A*–B
• GCSE results: 84.1% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment and school's own

19. The Judd School (Tonbridge)

• A level results: 87.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 81.1% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: The Kent Test

20. Colyton Grammar School (Colyton)

• A level results: 87.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 80.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: FSCE 11 plus

21. Sutton Grammar School (London)

• A level results: 87% A*–B
• GCSE results: 81.1% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) (first stage) and school's own (second stage)

22. St Michael’s RC Grammar School, Finchley (London)

• A level results: 86.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 80.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment

23. Colchester County High School for Girls (Colchester)

• A level results: 83.7% A*–B
• GCSE results: 85.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: CSSE 11+

24. Wallington High School for Girls (Wallington)

• A level results: 84.3% A*–B
• GCSE results: 83.3% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) (first stage) and school's own (second stage)

25. Dr Challoner’s High School (Little Chalfont)

• A level results: 84.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 82.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

26. Stratford Girls’ Grammar School (Stratford-upon-Avon)

• A level results: 81.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 85.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

27. Kendrick School (Reading)

• A level results: 79.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 89.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment

28. Langley Grammar School (Langley)

• A level results: 85.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 76.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Slough Consortium 11+

29. Wallington County Grammar School (Wallington)

• A level results: 87% A*–B
• GCSE results: 73% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) (first stage) and school's own (second stage)

30. Strathearn School (Belfast)

• A level results: 83% A*–B
• GCSE results: 78.4% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

31. Sir Thomas Rich’s School (Gloucester)

• A level results: 83.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 77.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test

32. Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (Altrincham)

• A level results: 82.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 79.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium 11 plus

33. Newstead Wood School (Orpington)

• A level results: 77.3% A*–B
• GCSE results: 87.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment

34. Rathmore Grammar School (Belfast)

• A level results: 86.3% A*–B
• GCSE results: 69.3% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

35. St Dominic’s Grammar School (Belfast)

• A level results: 85.3% A*–B
• GCSE results: 71.3% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

36. Woodford County High School (Woodford Green)

• A level results: 78% A*–B
• GCSE results: 85% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: Redbridge 11 plus selection test

37. Sale Grammar School (Sale)

• A level results: 83.3% A*–B
• GCSE results: 73.7% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium 11 plus

38. Dr Challoner’s Grammar School (Amersham)

• A level results: 87.5% A*–B
• GCSE results: 64.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

39. King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys (Birmingham)

• A level results: 84.5% A*–B
• GCSE results: 70.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

40. Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School (Sutton Coldfield)

• A level results: 80.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 77.5% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

41. Chesham Grammar School (Chesham)

• A level results: 85.7% A*–B
• GCSE results: 66.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

42. The Blue Coat School, Liverpool (Liverpool)

• A level results: 78.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 81.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: school's own

43. South Wilts Grammar School (Salisbury)

• A level results: 79.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 78% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment

44. Friends’ School Lisburn (Lisburn)

• A level results: 79.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 78.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

44=. The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe (High Wycombe)

• A level results: 85.5% A*–B
• GCSE results: 65.4% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

46. Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock (Belfast)

• A level results: 87.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 61.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

47. Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls (Sutton Coldfield)

• A level results: 76.5% A*–B
• GCSE results: 82.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

48. Bexley Grammar School (Welling)

• A level results: 84.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 67.3% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Bexley Selection Test

49. St Ambrose College (Altrincham)

• A level results: 80.3% A*–B
• GCSE results: 74.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium 11 plus

50. Upton Court Grammar School (Slough)

• A level results: 76.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 82.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Slough Consortium 11+

51. Lumen Christi College (Derry)

• A level results: 79.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 74.4% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

52. King Edward VI Five Ways School (Birmingham)

• A level results: 80% A*–B
• GCSE results: 74% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

53. Royal Latin School (Buckingham)

• A level results: 83.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 67.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

54. Beaconsfield High School (Beaconsfield)

• A level results: 80.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 71.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

55. Westcliff High School for Boys (Westcliff-on-Sea)

• A level results: 77.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 74.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: CSSE 11+

56. Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School (Marlow)

• A level results: 82% A*–B
• GCSE results: 66% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

57. Loreto Grammar School (Altrincham)

• A level results: 78.8% A*–B
• GCSE results: 71.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment and school's own

58. Southend High School For Boys (Southend-on-Sea)

• A level results: 79.8% A*–B
• GCSE results: 68.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: CSSE 11+

58=. Sullivan Upper School (Holywood)

• A level results: 80.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 66.7% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

58=. Wolverhampton Girls’ High School (Wolverhampton)

• A level results: 78.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 72.3% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

61. Banbridge Academy (Banbridge)

• A level results: 78% A*–B
• GCSE results: 72.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

62. St Louis Grammar School (Ballymena)

• A level results: 85.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 55.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

63. Newport Girls’ High School (Newport)

• A level results: 75.4% A*–B
• GCSE results: 76.3% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

64. Stroud High School (Stroud)

• A level results: 73.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 79.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Entrance Test

65. Bishop Wordsworth’s School (Salisbury)

• A level results: 80.4% A*–B
• GCSE results: 65.3% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment

66. Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School (Belfast)

• A level results: 79.4% A*–B
• GCSE results: 66.3% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

67. Herschel Grammar School (Slough)

• A level results: 75.7% A*–B
• GCSE results: 73% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Slough Consortium 11+

68. Ripon Grammar School (Ripon)

• A level results: 81.7% A*–B
• GCSE results: 59.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment

69. The Rochester Grammar School (Rochester)

• A level results: 85.3% A*–B
• GCSE results: 52% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: The Medway Test

70. Aylesbury High School (Aylesbury)

• A level results: 76% A*–B
• GCSE results: 70% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

71. Ballymena Academy (Ballymena)

• A level results: 81.8% A*–B
• GCSE results: 58.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

72. Southend High School for Girls (Southend-on-Sea)

• A level results: 74.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 70.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: CSSE 11+

73. Rainey Endowed School (Magherafelt)

• A level results: 79% A*–B
• GCSE results: 61.1% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

74. Churston Ferrers Grammar School (Brixham)

• A level results: 78.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 60.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: GL Assessment

75. Carrickfergus Grammar School (Carrickfergus)

• A level results: 80.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 56.4% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

76. Invicta Grammar School (Maidstone)

• A level results: 79% A*–B
• GCSE results: 59.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: The Kent Test

77. Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School (Tunbridge Wells)

• A level results: 75.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 66.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: The Kent Test

78. Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School (Sidcup)

• A level results: 72.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 71.5% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Bexley Selection Test

79. Townley Grammar School (Bexleyheath)

• A level results: 72.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 69.7% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: Bexley Selection Test

80. Urmston Grammar (Manchester)

• A level results: 76% A*–B
• GCSE results: 62% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Trafford Grammar Schools Consortium 11 plus

81. Ilford County High School (Ilford)

• A level results: 72.7% A*–B
• GCSE results: 68.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: Redbridge 11 plus selection test

82. Rugby High School (Rugby)

• A level results: 70.4% A*–B
• GCSE results: 72.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

83. Heckmondwike Grammar School (Heckmondwike)

• A level results: 64.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 83.5% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: FSCE 11 plus

84. St Bernard’s RC Grammar School (Slough)

• A level results: 70.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 72% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Slough Consortium 11+

85. Dartford Grammar School for Girls (Dartford)

• A level results: 68.5% A*–B
• GCSE results: 75.5% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: The Kent Test

85=. John Hampden Grammar School (High Wycombe)

• A level results: 75.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 62.1% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

87. King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls (Birmingham)

• A level results: 72.7% A*–B
• GCSE results: 65.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

88. Down High School (Downpatrick)

• A level results: 80.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 50.7% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

89. Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School (Aylesbury)

• A level results: 72.4% A*–B
• GCSE results: 65.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

90. Lancaster Royal Grammar School (Lancaster)

• A level results: 72.2% A*–B
• GCSE results: 65.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: Lancashire 11 plus

91. Haberdashers’ Adams (Newport)

• A level results: 74.8% A*–B
• GCSE results: 59.1% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

92. Aylesbury Grammar School (Aylesbury)

• A level results: 70.7% A*–B
• GCSE results: 67.2% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test

93. Lawrence Sheriff School (Rugby)

• A level results: 70.3% A*–B
• GCSE results: 67.9% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

94. Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Walsall (Walsall)

• A level results: 70.1% A*–B
• GCSE results: 68.3% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys, mixed sixth form
• 11+ exam type: West Midlands Grammar Schools Entrance Test

95. Dane Court Grammar School (Broadstairs)

• A level results: 80.9% A*–B
• GCSE results: 46.1% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• 11+ exam type: The Kent Test

95=. The Skinners’ School, Tunbridge Wells (Tunbridge Wells)

• A level results: 73.7% A*–B
• GCSE results: 60.5% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: The Kent Test

97. Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School (Lancaster)

• A level results: 68.8% A*–B
• GCSE results: 68.3% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: Lancashire 11 plus

98. The King’s School, Grantham (Grantham)

• A level results: 71.5% A*–B
• GCSE results: 62.6% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: boys
• 11+ exam type: Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools 11 plus exam

99. Methodist College Belfast (Belfast)

• A level results: 71.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 61.8% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: mixed
• Entrance exam: Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG)

100. Parkstone Grammar School (Poole)

• A level results: 74.6% A*–B
• GCSE results: 55.5% A*/A/9/8/7
• Entry gender: girls
• 11+ exam type: Dorset Consortium 11 plus exam

The top 10 grammar schools in the UK in 2026

1. Queen Elizabeth's School

QE Barnet is a boys’ grammar school in North London. Founded in 1573, it has a long history of academic success.

Students study a wide range of subjects and have access to extra opportunities such as guest lectures and joint research events with nearby girls’ schools.

Entry to QE Barnet

Boys apply in Year 6 and sit the 11+ in English and maths.

How to get a place at QE Barnet

2. Wilson's School

Wilson’s is a boys’ grammar school in Sutton. It was founded in 1615 and is one of the oldest state schools in England. In 2020, The Sunday Times named it London Secondary School of the Decade.

Alongside their main subjects, boys take part in an extracurricular programme designed to build confidence in areas like politics, culture and public speaking.

Entry to Wilson's School

Boys take the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET). Boys who pass the SET are invited to sit Wilson’s own English and maths papers.

How to get a place at Wilson's School

3. St Olave's Grammar School

St Olave’s is a selective boys’ school with a mixed sixth form in Orpington. It was founded in 1571 and has a reputation for high achievement.

Students often go on to top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, with many choosing fields such as engineering and medicine.

Entry to St Olave's Grammar School

Boys sit the school’s Selective Eligibility Test (SET) in September of Year 6. Successful candidates then take second-stage English and maths tests.

How to get a place at St Olave's Grammar School

4. Colchester Royal Grammar School

Colchester Royal Grammar School is a boys’ grammar school founded in 1206. It is one of the oldest schools in the country and offers boarding for sixth formers.

The Times named CRGS State Secondary School of the Year in East Anglia for Academic Excellence 2025. The school is well known for strong exam results, excellent facilities and a broad extracurricular programme.

Entry to Colchester Royal Grammar School

Boys sit the CSSE 11+ exam, which includes two papers in English and maths.

How to get a place at Colchester Royal Grammar School

5. The Tiffin Girls' School

The Tiffin Girls’ School is an all-girls grammar school in Kingston. Its aim is to help students think deeply, contribute to their community and grow as confident young people.

The school has a strong record in outreach and charity work and has been recognised for supporting pupils from different backgrounds.

Entry to The Tiffin Girls' School

Girls take a bespoke two-stage entrance exam to apply for a place in Year 7.

How to get a place at The Tiffin Girls' School

6. Pate's Grammar School

Pate’s is a mixed grammar school in Cheltenham, founded in 1574. The Times named it State Secondary School of the Year in the Southwest for Academic Excellence 2025.

The school’s vision focuses on challenge, support and future readiness. Relationships and respect sit at the heart of how the school works.

Entry to Pate's Grammar School

Students take the Gloucestershire Grammar Schools Test. It includes comprehension, vocabulary, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths.

How to get a place at Pate's Grammar School

7. King Edward VI Grammar School

KEGS is a boys’ grammar school with a mixed sixth form founded in 1551. It has strong academic standards and a focused work ethic.

Outside lessons, students have plenty of options: music groups, sports teams, the CCF and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Entry to King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Boys sit the CSSE 11+ exam, which includes an English paper (reading and writing) and a maths paper.

How to get a place at King Edward VI Grammar School

8. The Henrietta Barnett School

The Henrietta Barnett School (HBS) is an all-girls grammar school in North London. It was founded in 1911 to give girls access to high-quality education based on ability, not background.

HBS is often ranked among the top girls’ grammar schools in the country, with many students going on to Oxford, Cambridge and other leading universities. The Times named it State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2025.

Entry to The Henrietta Barnett School

Girls sit a two-stage 11+ exam. Stage 1 tests verbal and numerical ability. Students who do well in Stage 1 then take the Stage 2 exam, which includes English and maths set by the school.

How to get a place at The Henrietta Barnett School

9. Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGGS) is a large girls’ grammar school in Greater Manchester, founded in 1910. It leads national teaching in subjects such as maths, science, PSHE and languages.

The school is part of the Bright Futures Educational Trust and was named State Secondary School of the Year in the Northwest for Academic Excellence 2025.

Entry to Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Girls take entrance tests in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths.

How to get a place at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

10. Reading School

Reading School is a boys’ grammar school in Berkshire with a mixed sixth form. Founded in 1125, it is one of the oldest state schools in England.

The school has strong results across maths, sciences, and languages, and encourages curiosity, enrichment, and preparation for top universities.

Entry to Reading School

Boys sit an entrance exam set by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE). It includes English and maths and may test extra subject areas such as science, languages or humanities.

How to get a place at Reading School